Mercury Project sparking art scene

By Miranda Koerner, Contributing Writer :
March 25, 2013

Mercury Project owner Antonia Richardson with some of her pieces on display at the art gallery located at 538 Roosevelt Ave.

Since childhood, Antonia Richardson envisioned herself as an artist with work in galleries across Texas. But she never quite imagined she wouldn't only be showing in galleries, but starting one as well.

After opening the Mercury Project Gallery at 538 Roosevelt Avenue a year ago, Richardson has been sprinkling seeds for an art revolution on the South Side.

“My husband had a real grown-up job at USAA, and I wanted to give it a go,” Richardson said. “I wanted to take a chance and really focus on my art.”

Many of the artists showing at the gallery are full-time professional artists who rent a work space at the gallery. Those stopping by can often get a peek at their creativity in the process, which makes the gallery unique, Richardson said.

The causal and welcoming atmosphere of the Roosevelt Avenue area is reflected in the open air of the gallery.

“I feel this area is percolating and about to blossom into a place to find good art here in San Antonio,” Richardson said. “The main goal and mission is to bring art and culture to the community and beyond. This place is our baby and we're trying to raise it the best we can.”

Now, the Mercury Project art gallery also hosts events every quarter that include an open studio event and a formal show with live music. The events are free and often feature new artists. The next show is June 21 and will feature artists Lars Hunder, Guy Hunder and David Sprinkle.

“I want to bring exposure to and facilitate new and important art that may not be seen and giving new artists a chance to show in the community,” Richardson said.

She says she found freedom in her painting through instructor Alberto Mijangos and turned her focus to acrylic painting and mixed media, including construction materials and composites in her work.

Fellow San Antonio artist Amanda Furr, on the other hand, does vintage paintings based on childhood nostalgic San Antonio haunts.

“I spent a lot of time at the Bun and Barrel when I was 12 and 13 and somewhere in my brain the chrome of the cars became a sculpture garden,” Furr said with a laugh. “I tend to paint a lot of reflective chrome and reflective surfaces.”

Finding space to work and show at Mercury Project was “a wonderful serendipity,” Furr said.

“I'd been working out of my house for the past 16 several years and it's wonderful (to be around people),” Furr said. “It's a utopia of positives energy and creativity and wonderful people.

“I think my favorite thing is driving home at night past the Tower Life Building and seeing the trees and the environment (in a nearby park) change in this great metamorphosis. It's like living in history and the future at the same time.”

Furr said she even loves the curious visitors who stop to watch her paint.

“When you meet other artists, they're honest and give you constructive criticism. We build each other up and help make each other better artists,” she said.